The Saskatchewan Roughriders are poised to ring in another season.
Having received their 2025 Grey Cup rings, the Roughriders have turned their complete attention to Saturday’s opener against the B.C. Lions (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
Well, OK … there was some 2025 talk on Thursday — when middle linebacker Jameer Thurman discussed the design of the recently presented rings.
He was eminently qualified to address the topic, having served on a ring design committee that also included quarterback Trevor Harris, long snapper Jorgen Hus, Vice-President of Football Operations/General Manager Jeremy O’Day and Head Coach Corey Mace.
“It was a great honour to be a part of that, especially with Trevor and Jorgen and Coach Mace and J.O.,” Thurman said. “Just being in that room with all of them, that shows how much they respect me, too.”
The only downside …
“It was a lot of months of not being able to say anything to anybody,” Thurman said with a laugh. “People were asking questions and I’d say, ‘Oh, yeah, it’s going to look nice.’ ”
Understatement!
The rings, elaborate and precise in design, include:
A football-shaped, fully encrusted removable top that highlights the team’s logo.
14 green baguette stones, signifying each victory (regular season and playoffs) in 2025.
Accentuation of the Grey Cup trophy with five stones — one for each championship won by the Roughriders.
A small piece of the 2025 game ball inside the ring.
Laser-engraved tick marks for all 14 victories — celebrating a piece of wood, from a Mosaic Company mine, on which a branded digit is added after each victory.
“Rider Nation” engraved on the band to acknowledge the invaluable role fan support plays in the team’s success.
“We wanted it to be different from other rings,” Thurman said. “That’s why there’s the (game ball) aspect to it. Having that sentimental piece of the football in the ring, there’s a lot of meaning that went into it.
“We got ideas from other champions’ rings as well, but I think we came together and did a great job.”
The incorporation of the game ball resulted from a conversation between Harris and Equipment Manager Gordon Gilroy, both of whom became third-time Grey Cup champions when the Roughriders defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 on Nov. 16 at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
“Everything had meaning behind it, even the little wheat sheaf behind our numbers,” Thurman noted. “That showed recognition to the province.”
There was one detail in particular for which Thurman lobbied.
“I was big on having the top off, just to show our stadium and different things like that,” he said. “I’m not going to say the stadium (concept) was just me, but I definitely wanted the top off. That was an idea I brought that I saw from another championship ring.”
Specifically that of the Los Angeles Rams — 2022 Super Bowl champions.
The Los Angeles connection was especially fitting because current Roughriders linebacker Antoine Brooks Jr. earned a Super Bowl ring with that edition of the Rams.
Brooks Jr. had a sneak preview in a way, although the 2025 rings were even less of a mystery to Thurman, Harris, Hus, Mace and O’Day when the presentations were made on May 31. Yet, the surprise was not spoiled in the least.
“I mean, you saw Trevor’s face,” Thurman said with a laugh. “I definitely was just like, ‘Oh, man … this looks even better in person than it did when we were designing it.’
“Everything came together great.”
There will be one final chance for fans to formally celebrate the accomplishments of last season. The Roughriders’ 2025 Grey Cup championship banner is to be unveiled shortly before kickoff on Saturday.
“You’ve got to appreciate every moment that’s presented and that’s in front of you,” Thurman said. “There’s a timing for everything. Some of those (reflections) happen during the season that we have now.
“We’re focused on this season. Yes, (2025) is something to be proud of but, at the same time, this is a new year. That stuff doesn’t matter anymore. We’ll forever be part of the legacy of this franchise but, at the same time, we’re trying to add to that and build on that this year.”